Agriculture sucks up about 70% of the freshwater humans withdraw — and the old way of watering is to flood the whole field, losing nearly half of it to evaporation and runoff. This lesson is about the technology that flips that equation: deliver water precisely to the plant's roots instead of spraying the whole plot, through three pieces that work together — drip irrigation that drips water one drop at a time to the roots · the center pivot that adjusts the amount of water point by point · and moisture sensors that tell you "when, where, and how much to water." In an era of more frequent droughts and shrinking groundwater, this is the business of "squeezing more yield out of less water."
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El Niño drags India's rainfall 15% below average, raising risk of driest monsoon in 17 years
India's meteorological department has reported that an intensifying El Niño is putting India at risk of its driest monsoon season in 17 years, after cumulative rainfall from June to September came in 15% below the long-term average. That could weigh on agricultural output and further stoke food inflation, which climbed to 5.95% in August. The report said that if dry conditions persist, this year's monsoon will be the weakest since 2009, when rainfall was 18% below normal, potentially affecting both the current harvest and the next planting cycle. Food costs rose for a seventh straight month in August. The meteorological office had forecast in May that rainfall this season would be 10% below normal. Christian Werner, managing director of the consultancy Global Weather Climate Analytics in Australia, said weather conditions could favor cyclone formation in the Bay of Bengal in the final week of September, which may help bring critically needed rain to eastern and northeastern India and ease drought conditions there. Adequate monsoon rainfall is crucial for the hundreds of millions of Indian farmers who rely on seasonal rains to grow their crops, with India among the world's largest producers of rice, sugar and cotton.
Terradot and Google Launch Largest Enhanced Rock Weathering Project in Southern Brazil
Terradot and Google announced a megaton-scale climate project in Southern Brazil that pairs methane avoidance in rice farming with permanent carbon dioxide removal, marking Google's largest carbon removal purchase to date. Google will purchase 1M tonnes of near-term methane impact by 2030 and 1M tonnes of carbon removal impact by 2040, delivering 1M tonnes of impact by 2030. The project is the largest enhanced rock weathering project ever undertaken and the first of any kind to combine near-term methane elimination with durable carbon removal at this scale. Terradot will help rice farmers across more than 200,000 hectares starting in Rio Grande do Sul adopt Alternate Wetting and Drying, an irrigation practice that periodically drains flooded paddies to cut water use and sharply reduce methane, while spreading naturally sourced crushed volcanic rock on farmland to generate durable carbon removal. Terradot CEO James Kanoff said the project eliminates the trade-off between moving fast on near-term warming and removing carbon permanently, and Google Head of Carbon Removal Randy Spock said the agreement is built to be a template rather than a one-off. As part of the project, Google is providing an R&D grant to Terradot and to Stanford Doerr School's Soil & Environmental Biogeochemistry Lab to strengthen the scientific foundation of AWD as a methane mitigation strategy.
Cabinet approves 15-billion-baht national disaster insurance scheme covering 30 million households
Today's cabinet meeting (Sept 15) was chaired by Deputy Prime Minister and Transport Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn on behalf of Prime Minister and Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, who is on a trip to the Socialist Republic of Vietnam. The Interior Ministry is seeking approval for a total budget framework of 15 billion baht to buy natural disaster insurance under the national disaster insurance programme, and is proposing three types of policy covering floods, windstorms and earthquakes, for 30 million households, with a one-year coverage period from 1 October 2026 to 1 October 2027, to ease the burden of risk on the state, which spends tens of billions of baht a year on relief for disaster victims. Meanwhile, the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives is seeking approval for a project to improve the irrigation system in the lower Chao Phraya basin and the lower eastern side, with a budget of about 95 billion baht, using loans from the Asian Development Bank, or ADB, together with the national budget. The Transport Ministry, for its part, is proposing to cancel the item for construction of the ministry's new headquarters building, which was tied to the budgets for 2026 to 2028, effectively delaying the construction plan. Attention is also on proposals to appoint and transfer senior officials at several ministries to fill positions left vacant by retirements on 30 September this year.
Google and Mitti Labs Sign Five-Year Rice Methane Carbon Credit Deal
Mitti Labs has announced a five-year carbon credit agreement with Google to scale climate-smart agriculture across 100,000 hectares of smallholder rice farms in India, delivering one million high-integrity credits to Google by 2030 in what the company calls the largest rice methane offtake to date. The partnership will transition over 70,000 farmers to water and methane-savings irrigation practices, aiming to eliminate 3M tons of near-term warming impact, measured as GWP20 and equivalent to 1M tons of GWP100 impact, while conserving billions of gallons of water across critical regional basins. Rice paddies continuously flooded under traditional practices account for more than 10% of global methane emissions, and Mitti Labs says its model cuts up to 50% of methane emissions from rice fields and reduces irrigation volumes by close to 40% while maintaining rice yields. The partnership is projected to deliver billions of liters of water savings across India, equivalent to Bengaluru's annual supply for three years, and Mitti Labs will use Google's support to expand its NASA-supported GeoAI platform, which fuses satellite radar data with field-collected ground truth at the resolution of individual smallholder plots. Kate Brandt, Chief Sustainability Officer at Google, said the company is committed to finding solutions that neutralize warming across both the near and long term, while Mitti Labs co-founder Xavier Laguarta called the partnership a powerful accelerator of its mission to reduce emissions, save water, and strengthen the livelihoods of the 150 million smallholder farmers who grow rice.
August global average temperature hits record high, Copernicus Climate Change Service reports
The European Union's weather information agency, the Copernicus Climate Change Service, announced on the 10th that the global average temperature this August reached 16.96 degrees, the highest ever recorded for the month of August. This ties with July 2023 as the highest ever recorded across all months. The global average temperature in August was 1.65 degrees above the pre-industrial average, and it was the first time since last November that the monthly temperature rise exceeded 1.5 degrees. In Western Europe, the average temperature from June to August surpassed the record heat of 2003, making it the hottest summer on record, with severe droughts occurring in France, the United Kingdom and elsewhere, and the flow of major rivers such as the Rhine and the Danube falling to unusually low levels. The average temperature across Europe this summer was the third highest on record. The average sea surface temperature in August for ocean areas excluding the regions around the North and South Poles reached 21.07 degrees, setting a new record high for that month, and the El Niño phenomenon is strengthening near the equator in the Pacific, with the possibility that it could become one of the strongest on record.
Heat of the 'Plus 2°C Era' Hits Japan's Dining Tables, Affecting Production, Logistics, and Prices
In the summer of 2025, Japan's average temperature was 2.36°C above the normal, marking the highest since records began in 1898, and the third consecutive year of record highs. This extreme heat has damaged crops and livestock, leading to reduced supplies and higher prices for eggs, rice, and vegetables. For example, in Ibaraki Prefecture, egg production rates have dropped by 10-20%, and the ratio of top-grade Koshihikari rice from Niigata Prefecture has fallen to just a few percent. According to Teikoku Databank, the average price of a curry rice meal has hit a record high of 365 yen, with an index of 142.6 compared to the 20-year average. If temperatures continue to rise, a plate of curry rice could cost around 500 yen by the 2040s, prompting consumers to consider new rice varieties and adjust storage methods.
AgriCapture Partners with Google to Save 5.4 Billion Gallons in Texas
AgriCapture has announced a multi-year partnership with Google and the Bonneville Environmental Foundation to replenish 5.4 billion gallons of water in Southeast Texas by transitioning 6,000 acres of rice farmland in the Trinity River Basin to water-saving irrigation practices. The program will reduce irrigation withdrawals in one of the state's most stressed watersheds, where roughly 140,000 acres are flood irrigated annually. Google is financing the upfront capital for the irrigation infrastructure and providing performance-based payments to farmers for the water they save, as part of its broader commitment to responsible water management. AgriCapture will quantify the water savings using flow meters, field sensors, and geospatial monitoring, generating verified volumetric water benefits. This Texas program adds to AgriCapture's portfolio of water and carbon projects across six U.S. states and nine other countries, while Google has committed over $500 million to water infrastructure globally.
Dayu Water-Saving 2026 Interim Report: Design Qualifications Deliver Dividends, Cash Flow Is the Core Test
Dayu Water-Saving Group released its 2026 interim report on August 25. Relying on a design-led, full-industry-chain collaborative model, the company achieved breakthroughs in smart water conservancy and ecological governance, with steady revenue expansion and significantly improved asset quality. However, affected by one-off factors such as goodwill losses from the sale of equity in a subsidiary, net profit attributable to the parent turned negative, while non-recurring profit and loss excluded net profit maintained slight growth, and operating cash flow remained in net outflow. During the reporting period, the company achieved operating revenue of 1.586 billion yuan, up 24.27 percent year on year. Net profit attributable to the parent was negative 1.1079 million yuan, down 108.80 percent year on year. Non-recurring profit and loss excluded net profit was 4.4138 million yuan, up 1.55 percent year on year. Net cash flow from operating activities was negative 569 million yuan, with the net outflow widening 3.59 percent year on year. Among these, revenue from agricultural water design services was 360 million yuan, a sharp year-on-year increase of 306.84 percent, with a gross margin of 36.81 percent, mainly benefiting from the completed integration of Huai'an Water Conservancy Survey and Design Research Institute and the highlighted advantages of its double Class A design institute qualifications. Revenue from smart agricultural water project construction was 937 million yuan, up 13.28 percent year on year, with a gross margin of 17.53 percent. Revenue from agricultural water technology product sales was 139 million yuan, down 36.67 percent year on year. New contracts signed in the first half totaled 2.166 billion yuan. On the profit side, the company transferred part of its equity in the holding subsidiary Huitong Technology, recognizing investment income of negative 19.2347 million yuan. Combined with factors such as gains and losses on disposal of non-current assets, this caused net profit attributable to the parent to swing from profit to loss. Looking ahead, with the start of the 15th Five-Year Plan, national water network construction, modernization of irrigation districts, and the building of digital twin water conservancy systems will bring a certain incremental market. However, attention should be paid to risks from intensifying industry homogenization, accounts receivable management caused by longer project payment collection cycles, and the impact of raw material price fluctuations on gross margins.
Citi Raises Corn, Soybean and Wheat Price Targets on El Niño Risks
Citi has raised its price forecasts for corn, soybeans and wheat, citing the strengthening Super El Niño as its highest-conviction agricultural market risk heading into late 2026 and early 2027. The bank lifted its three-month corn target to $5.40 per bushel and its 12-month forecast to $5.90 per bushel, while soybean targets rose to $12.75 for three months and $13.25 for 12 months, and wheat targets increased to $7.25 and $7.75 respectively. The revisions follow NOAA's August 2026 update assigning a more than 90% probability to a very strong El Niño event and a 69% chance that October through December conditions will surpass every El Niño episode recorded since 1950. Citi identified palm oil, robusta coffee, rice, sugar, cocoa and Australian wheat as among the commodities most exposed, with the greatest risks concentrated in Australia, India, Southeast Asia and parts of Brazil. The bank also noted that lower palm oil output in Indonesia and Malaysia could boost demand for soybean oil, adding further upward pressure to soybean prices.
Global Watering Equipment Market to Reach $24.2 Billion by 2035
The global watering equipment market is projected to grow from $12.8 billion in 2025 to $24.2 billion by 2035, a compound annual growth rate of 6.5%, according to a new report from ResearchAndMarkets.com. The sprinklers segment accounted for $4.52 billion in 2025, making it the largest product category, while the agriculture segment held a 44.9% share. North America generated $2.77 billion in 2025, representing a 21.5% share, and is expected to grow at a 5% CAGR through 2035. Major companies include Netafim (Orbia), Rain Bird Corporation, Hunter Industries, Husqvarna Group (Gardena), The Toro Company, Jain Irrigation Systems, and Hozelock (Exel Industries).
JA Tsumagoi Village and partners launch experiment using satellite data to promote cabbage sales
JA Tsumagoi Village, JAXA, and Dentsu began an experimental initiative on the 24th to use satellite data to forecast supply and prices of Tsumagoi Village's specialty cabbage, linking this to in-store promotions and advertising. When they determine it is a good time to sell due to increased supply, they will create demand through merchandising, and when supply is short, they will curb advertising, aiming to stabilize supply, demand, and prices while reducing food loss. Previously, producers walked the fields to check growth, but now satellite data on color, size, and other broad-area indicators will predict shipment volumes eight weeks ahead. Ajinomoto is also cooperating, and from the same day, Cook Do products are displayed next to Tsumagoi Village cabbage at Tokyu Store Sangenjaya. Going forward, they will propose cabbage-based menu ideas according to supply forecasts and roll out similar promotions at about 50 stores in sequence.
Global funds begin enforcing TNFD, moving beyond carbon tunnel vision
Institutional investors worldwide are starting to enforce the TNFD framework to assess nature and biodiversity risks, rather than looking only at greenhouse gas emissions through carbon tunnel vision. Multinational companies and retailers in Europe and America are beginning to set conditions for purchasing goods that do not harm ecosystems. If suppliers are found to be discharging wastewater or clearing forests, they may have credit lines suspended or face immediate rejection of their goods. One example is a Thai processed food exporter that nearly lost a Scandinavian customer because its fruit orchards used chemicals that damaged topsoil. But when IoT soil sensors and AI drones were used to spray biological agents instead of chemicals, the topsoil recovered within one season, and the customer agreed to pay above-market prices to place the products in the Nature Positive category, which is gaining popularity among Gen Z consumers in Europe.
England declares 71.3% of its area in drought after lowest rainfall in 190 years
The National Drought Group of England declared additional areas to be in drought on Monday, bringing the total to 71.3% of England now facing flash drought. This follows July rainfall being the lowest in 190 years, and August rainfall so far at only 5% of expected levels. Around 45 million people live in drought-affected areas, and more than 27 million are under water restriction measures. The Water Minister said the government recognises the hardship, especially the impact on farmers from climate change, which is causing more frequent floods and droughts.
Global food prices rose in July to their highest level in more than three years, amid concerns over production volumes and key grain export routes. The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations reported that its world food price index increased 0.6 percent from the previous month, reaching the highest since January 2023, driven mainly by higher prices for cereals, sugar, and vegetable oils. A major risk stems from the Black Sea region after attacks between Russia and Ukraine intensified, raising concerns over grain exports and helping push wheat prices to a two-year high in June. Meanwhile, Europe is facing one of its most severe drops in grain production on record due to extreme heat, and key growing areas in the United States are experiencing drought, increasing risks to corn and soybean output. Food price risks could rise further in the near term due to the prospect of an unusually strong El Niño, coupled with fertilizer supply issues and still-high energy costs.
Saudi Aramco backs Mitti Labs in $9.5 million round to cut rice farming water use
Mitti Labs, a climate-tech startup, has raised $9.5 million in a Series A round led by Aramco Ventures, the venture arm of Saudi Aramco, to expand its platform that helps rice farmers reduce water use and methane emissions across Asia. The round also included Lightspeed India, Godrej Industries Group, Cisco, Francis Family Fund, and Volta Circle, bringing total funding to $12.5 million after a $3 million seed round in July 2024. The company’s GeoAI platform uses satellite radar imagery and field data to create digital twins of rice fields, enabling monitoring of crop conditions and emissions on smallholder farms averaging one hectare. Mitti Labs says its alternate irrigation practices cut water use by about 40% and methane emissions by more than 50% without affecting yields, while generating carbon credits. The startup has grown from working with about 8,000 farmers in 2024 to more than 100,000 this season across several Indian states, and plans to launch in the Philippines later this year before expanding into Indonesia and other Southeast Asian markets in 2027.
Supermarket bosses call for legally binding targets to boost UK food production
Supermarket bosses are calling for Andy Burnham to set legally binding targets to increase the proportion of fruit and vegetables grown in Britain by 2040. The chief executives of Tesco, Waitrose, Sainsbury's, Aldi and the Co-op have written to the Prime Minister warning that wildfires and extreme weather are putting Britain's food supplies at risk. At least half of the nation's imported fruit and vegetables currently come from countries facing extreme water scarcity, the bosses warned. The letter, drafted by the Food Foundation and signed by more than 100 organisations including Danone and Greencore, urges the introduction of a good food bill that would require local authorities to plan for continued food supplies during extreme weather and mandate consideration of food security across government decisions. It also calls for legally binding targets on reducing childhood obesity and increasing children's fruit and vegetable consumption.
ONWR Confirms Sufficient Water Reserves to Cope with Strong El Niño Late Next Year
The Office of the National Water Resources has confirmed that there is sufficient water supply for water management this year, even though the Meteorological Department forecasts that El Niño will intensify to a very strong level from October to December 2026. The four main dams in the Chao Phraya River Basin had a combined usable water volume of 17.245 billion cubic meters as of November 1, 2025, which is higher than the 4.247 billion cubic meters recorded during the El Niño period in 2015. It is projected that as of November 1, 2026, the usable water volume will be 12.105 billion cubic meters. The ONWR has also instructed all agencies to prepare without complacency, especially in areas outside irrigation zones, while urging farmers to cultivate according to plans and calling on all sectors to conserve water. At the same time, it has ordered inspections of waterway obstructions to improve drainage efficiency in line with measures for the 2026 rainy season.
General Mills, ADM, Walmart Partner to Accelerate Regenerative Agriculture Across 40,000 Midwest Wheat Acres
General Mills, ADM and Walmart have announced a strategic collaboration to accelerate regenerative agriculture across 40,000 Midwest wheat acres. The program focuses on key growing regions where General Mills sources wheat from ADM for products sold through Walmart and Sam's Club, with initial projects receiving technical assistance from American Farmland Trust and Ducks Unlimited. It builds on a 2023 commitment by General Mills and Walmart to advance regenerative agriculture across 600,000 shared acres by 2030, with programs already underway on more than 560,000 wheat acres in the U.S. ADM, which manages nearly 5 million regenerative acres globally, will facilitate on-the-ground support including financial incentives for practices like no-till and cover crops. The collaboration contributes to General Mills' goal of advancing regenerative agriculture on 1 million acres by 2030, Walmart's aim to protect or restore at least 50 million acres by 2030, and ADM's efforts to empower farmers on millions of acres.
Syngenta Group China Partners With McDonald’s and McCain for a More Sustainable Potato Supply Chain
Syngenta Group China has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with McDonald’s China and McCain China to build a more resilient and sustainable potato supply chain in China. The agreement was announced at the 4th China International Supply Chain Expo in Beijing. Under the pilot framework, Syngenta Group China will explore a science-based potato planting approach that addresses soil health, customized crop stewardship, precision fertigation, integrated pest management, intelligent field monitoring, and sustainable agricultural practices. The initiative draws on the company’s full suite of agronomic inputs, digital farming solutions, and its nationwide network of MAP technical service centers. The three parties aim to transform local potato farming, supply, and processing through scaling sustainable practices and smart technologies.
Smart Greenhouse Market to Reach USD 5.75 Billion by 2035
The global smart greenhouse market is projected to grow from USD 2.30 billion in 2025 to USD 5.75 billion by 2035, according to a report by SNS Insider. The market is expected to expand at a compound annual growth rate of 9.72 percent from 2026 to 2035. North America led the market in 2025 with a 38.66 percent revenue share, driven by strong commercial greenhouse technology and venture capital investment in agricultural technologies. The Asia Pacific region is forecast to register the highest growth rate, supported by large greenhouse farms in China and government modernization schemes in countries such as China, Japan, South Korea, and India. By component, HVAC systems held a 42.9 percent market share in 2025, while LED grow lights are expected to grow fastest due to increasing energy efficiency and year-round cropping demand.